Time flew by, and it was now the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month. Early in the morning, after everyone had breakfast, Sun Zhengguo and his wife prepared to return to their courtyard house.
The steel rolling mill is closed for the holiday today, so Sun Zhengdong didn't rush to work.
"Zhengdong, your sister-in-law and I will go first. Don't forget what I told you. We're going to the courtyard house for dinner tonight. Your cousin's family will be there too."
"Okay! Brother, I understand. Aifang and I will go over this afternoon."
After explaining the matter, Sun Zhengguo took his wife and returned to the courtyard house.
Inside the courtyard, every household was busy at this time. Whether they were rich or poor, they had been saving up tickets for a long time, just waiting for the New Year to come and make things lively.
When Sun Zhengguo rushed back to the courtyard, he ran into Yan Bugui, who was directing his son to move a table.
"Uncle, what are you doing?"
Yan Bugui immediately became unhappy when he saw Sun Zhengguo.
Anyone with eyes can see what he's up to.
It's nothing more than writing a couplet and earning some peanuts and melon seeds.
But the richest man in this compound hasn't earned a single peanut in all these years. Do you think he can be happy?
"Oh! Zhengguo is back. I'm here to serve the people of the compound by writing couplets for everyone."
Seeing Yan Bugui's serious expression, Sun Zhengguo didn't expose him, but instead gave him a thumbs up against his will.
“Uncle, you are the one. It’s a blessing for these people to live in the same courtyard as you.”
After Sun Zhengguo finished speaking, he took Ning Xiaowei and headed home.
Yan Bugui was left standing there dumbfounded, knowing full well that there was something wrong with what he said, but not knowing how to refute it.
When they got home, Sun Dajiang and his wife were busy killing a chicken. The young couple greeted them and then came to the main room.
“Zhengguo, is there anything wrong with Uncle San writing couplets for the masses? I feel like there’s something hidden in your words.”
Hehehe!
"Sister-in-law, do you have some misunderstanding about helping? Would Uncle San be so kind? He charges a fee! Peanuts, melon seeds, cornbread, or money will do, he calls it a 'writing fee'."
Without even needing Sun Zhengguo to explain, Sun Zhenghong, who had just entered the room, smiled and gave his sister-in-law a full explanation.
"So, will our family's couplets also need Uncle San's help to write?"
Ning Xiaowei then asked.
"We have too many people in our family who can write; any one of them can write. Why do we need his help? We might as well eat it ourselves."
Sun Zhenghong said proudly.
In the past, Ning Xiaowei's family only had three people during the Spring Festival. Sometimes her older brother wouldn't even come home for the holiday, so it wasn't nearly as lively as it is now.
Now that her younger sister has said this, her curiosity has been piqued, and she keeps asking questions non-stop.
Since Sun Zhenghong had nothing to do at the moment, the two women, sister-in-law and aunt, started chatting.
Seeing that the two women were chatting so happily, Sun Zhengguo didn't disturb them and went to help his parents kill chickens and fish.
Around noon, after everyone finished lunch, they began to get really busy.
Sun Dajiang and his wife took over the kitchen, Sun Zhengguo and his brother took over the couplets, Sun Zhenghong cut paper-cuts, and Ning Xiaowei followed behind to learn.
What a joyful and harmonious scene!
By 3 p.m., the food in the kitchen was almost ready, the couplets on the door and the paper-cut window decorations were all brand new, and the house was cleaned and tidy.
The Lin Jiguo and Sun Zhengdong families also brought food rations to the door, but this was just for show, as none of them needed the food rations.
"Cousin, Zhengdong, you've come at just the right time. We've already finished our work, and you're only just arriving. Did you not want to come and help?"
"Hahaha……!"
Sun Zhenghong's words caused everyone to burst into laughter, and then Lin Jiguo explained.
"How could that be? We also need to put up Spring Festival couplets and window decorations in our house, and we need to tidy up a bit more, so we're late."
"Don't listen to this girl's nonsense. Everyone, come inside for tea and melon seeds."
"Come here, Kangri, come to your great-aunt. I have some candy here. I wonder if Kangri wants some?"
Upon hearing Lin Wencui's words, the young Lin Kangri quickly let go of his mother's hand and ran over excitedly.
"I want to eat candy, Grandma has candy."
"Hahaha……!"
The comical appearance of the little anti-Japanese fighter made everyone burst into laughter again.
Lin Wencui was overjoyed and picked up Xiao Kangri in one go. She took out a few White Rabbit milk candies from her pocket, stuffed them into Xiao Kangri's pocket, and then peeled off another piece and put it in his mouth.
"Grandma is the best! This candy is so fragrant and sweet, it's delicious."
"Hahaha……!"
Since Xiao Kangri arrived, the house has been filled with laughter and joy. Everyone played until about five o'clock, and then they started preparing for dinner.
Today is Lunar New Year's Eve. Even the most frugal families will buy some meat, so the Sun family is doing just that, with a table full of dishes.
At the dinner table, Sun Dajiang first gave a speech, summarizing the gains and losses of the past year. Then everyone raised their glasses to celebrate this wonderful moment together.
"cheers!"
Little Kangri, who had been waiting impatiently, saw everyone clinking glasses, secretly reached out and grabbed a meatball, stuffing it into his mouth.
"Resisting the Japanese? Don't you know the rules? Your grandparents haven't even touched their chopsticks yet, how dare you steal food?"
Huang Hua, who was standing beside him, scolded him.
"It's alright, kids are just greedy. Didn't you see when Zhengguo and the others were little, they would start stealing food in the kitchen before the dishes were even on the table? I remember one year,..."
"Hahaha……."
Lin Wencui's recounting of Sun Zhengguo's glorious childhood deeds drew laughter from everyone, making him feel a little embarrassed.
"Mom, this is such an old story, why are you bringing it up again? I think my sister was the one who did it, wasn't she?"
"Fine! You two older brothers ate plenty of the meatballs I stole from the kitchen, didn't you? Now you're blaming me? You're really heartless."
Sun Zhenghong, of course, refused to take the blame and immediately retorted.
When the topic of food came up, everyone had a lot to say and started discussing it.
"..."
What kind of life has everyone been living this past year? Everyone knows perfectly well. And who has enabled us to enjoy our good life today? Everyone knows perfectly well as well.
Lin Jiguo raised his glass and first toasted Mr. and Mrs. Sun Dajiang to thank them for taking care of him over the years.
Of course, he would toast Sun Zhengguo with the second glass of wine. If it weren't for this cousin, his family would never be living such a comfortable life.
After Lin Jiguo finished offering his toast, Sun Zhengdong followed, giving the same reason.
Everyone enjoyed the drinks, the delicious food, and the bright future.
Everyone helped clean up after the New Year's Eve dinner, and then it was time to set off firecrackers.
After happily setting off the firecrackers, everyone began to wish Mr. and Mrs. Sun Dajiang a Happy New Year.
They went from house to house to pay their respects, and Mr. and Mrs. Sun were all smiles as they kept giving red envelopes to the children.
After exchanging New Year's greetings, those who wanted to play cards went off to play, while the rest drank tea, chatted, and ate melon seeds.
They played until after 9 o'clock, when Lin Jiguo, holding the sleeping Xiao Kangri, was the first to say goodbye and leave.
Sun Zhengguo and Sun Zhengdong couldn't stay up all night because their wives were pregnant.
After exchanging greetings, the two took their wives back to their courtyard.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com